Discovering hope in difficult times involves embracing a resilient faith that trusts in God's presence,

purpose, and strength, even when circumstances seem dark.

By embracing this type of faith, individuals can navigate adversity by surrendering fear,

finding joy in trial, and trusting that, ultimately, all things work together for good. 

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊                                                                              

Isaiah 65:17-21

I now create

New heavens and a new earth, and the former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind again.

Be glad forever and rejoice in what I create; for I create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight.

I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people.

The sound of distress and the voice of weeping will not be heard in it any more.

 

You will no longer know of dead children or of adults who do not live out a lifetime.

One who reaches a hundred years will have died a mere youth,

but one who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed.

They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant crops and eat their fruit.

 

Ps 30:2 & 4, 5-6, 11-12a & 13b

I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊     

John 4:43-54

When the two days were over, Jesus left for Galilee.

Jesus himself said that no prophet is recognized in his own country.

Yet the Galileans welcomed him when he arrived,

because of all the things which he had done in Jerusalem during the Festival,

and which they had seen. For they too had gone to the feast.

 

Jesus went back to Cana of Galilee, where he had changed the water into wine.

At Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill,

and when he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee,

he went and asked him to come and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.

Jesus said, "Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe!"

The official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies." And Jesus replied, "Go, your son lives!"

 

The man had faith in the word that Jesus spoke to him, and went his way.

As he was approaching his house, his servants met him and gave him the good news,

"Your son has recovered!" So he asked them at what hour the child began to recover, and they said to him,

"The fever left him yesterday, at about one o'clock in the afternoon."

And the father realized that that was the time when Jesus had told him,

"Your son lives!" And he became a believer, he and all his family.

Jesus performed this second miraculous sign when he returned from Judea to Galilee.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Faith is about cultivating a trusting relationship.

The Gospel story highlights faith and healing as a royal official requests Jesus's help for his sick son.

The official's urgent plea illustrates the deep emotions of a parent's love and concern.

Notably, Jesus replies, "Go; your son lives."

 

The official must decide to trust Jesus's words without having any immediate proof of healing.

This highlights a key aspect of faith: believing in something beyond what we can see or control.

In our lives, we often encounter moments when we must

choose to have faith despite not knowing what will happen,

whether dealing with illness, losing a job, or facing personal challenges.

 

The main message of this passage encourages us to understand that faith is not just about requesting miracles

but also about cultivating a trusting relationship.

The official's journey from desperation to belief illustrates how faith can transform our experiences,

helping us discover hope even in difficult times. By embracing this type of faith,

we can face life's uncertainties with resilience, fostering a stronger bond with

those we care about and the opportunities that lie ahead.